John Barnes

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Born in 1963 in Jamaica, Barnes was part of the Liverpool team that won the double in 1986, the League title in 1988 and 1990 and the FA Cup in 1992. He became the first Black player to win the Football Writers' Footballer of the Year Award, winning it in both 1988 and 1990. He also won the PFA Player of the Year Award in 1988.

An England international, Barnes gained a total of 79 full caps, scoring 11 goals. Out of the 79 appearances in an England shirt, Barnes will be remembered most for his performance against Brazil in June 1984. Targeted by the National Front who booed his every touch of the ball, he responded by scoring an absolutely fantastic individual goal!

Before joining Liverpool, Barnes made his name at Watford. He left Liverpool to join Newcastle United then Charlton Athletic, and then went on to spend 8 months as player-coach at Celtic under Kenny Dalglish in 1999 before becoming a TV commentator. In September 2008 he was appointed head coach of Jamaica, where he guided the team to victory in the 2008 Caribbean Championship. In 2009 he returned to England, spending four months as manager of Tranmere Rovers before being sacked.

Barnes has spoken out regularly about racism in football and in wider society. On 23rd October 2001, he was a motivational speaker at FURD's 'Moving On Up' conference to inspire BME young people to fulfil their potential.